Ford Repair: 98 ford explorer sohc V6 4.0L, south yorkshire england, reconditioned engine

Question
QUESTION: I am the proud owner of the above model, yet though I have had no problems, my 1st problem rose today I was informed by a specialist that the crank has gone can it be repaired and if so what would the likely cost be...would I be better to take the engine out myself or let someone mechanically engineered do it...

I live in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England
ANSWER: Markus-

  I suppose it depends on what kind of damage is done to the crankshaft.  I suppose if it's just minor scoring of the metal or something slight like that it could be refinished, but even then it's likely better to just replace it.  It's almost universally better to just buy a new crankshaft (although I don'tknow how expensive they'd be in England or how in the world you even got an Explorer over there).  Hope this helps.

Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: HOW MUCH WOULD ONE COST IN THE USA AND WHAT WOULD IT COST FOR A RECONDITIONED ENGINE IF POSSIBLE TO BE SHIPPED...

Answer
Markus-

  I can't imagine the crank would cost any more than $300-$400USD at the most (which is what...about 150-200 pounds?).  The engines themselves usually run between $1500 and $2000USD usually (last I checked).  Shipping for a whole engine would be murder I would think...I can't even imagine how you'd go about shipping something that heavy overseas.  You might check around Europe.  If memory serves, the 4.0L motors were actually built in Germany for Ford.  I can't imagine why they'd do that unless they were also used in either Ford of Europe or Ford of Australia cars.  Hope this helps.

Steve